CANTALOUPE 
CULTURE 

A Treatise on Oantaloupe Growing, under 
Irrij^ation in Colorado by 
PHILO K. BLI>N, B. S. 
R «» r k y Ford, Colorado 




Copyrighted 1910 
BY 



The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Seed 
Breeders' Association 

Rocky Ford, Colorado 



Cantaloupe Culture 



A Treatise on Cantaloupe Growing, Under 
Irrigation in Colorado 



BY 

PHILO K. BLINN, B. S. 

Rocky Ford, Colo. 



NOTE. — Copious extracts have been taken from Colorado Experiment Station 
Bulletins Nos. 95, 104 and 126, by the same author, in the preparation of this treatise; 
also a number of halftones from the same bulletins have been used by permission. 



FIRST EDITION 



Copyright, 1910, by 

The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Seed Breeders' Association 

Rocky Ford, Colo. 



r 







/^//ir^£ 



COLO AGEXfi^TA. 



Plate I— Cantaloupes at right grown after alfalfa. At left on worn out soil. 
Plate II — Root System of Cantaloupe Seedlings. 



CCU27645 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



Cantaloupe Culture 

By PHILO K. BLINN, B. S. 



INTRODUCTION 

The Cantaloupe has long been a favorite in the home garden, when 
conditions are favorable to its growth, and in recent years the growing 
of this fruit for market has assumed the proportions of a great indusTry 
in certain favored localities of the country; in districts like Rocky Ford, 
for instance, which annually ships from ten to twelve hundred cars of 
the fruit, and seed sufficient to plant a hundred thousand acres, are 
grown and marketed every year, and in the aggregate a very large area 
is being devoted to this crop throughout the United States. 

The cantaloupe seems to thrive in rather a wide range of soil and 
climatic conditions, being grown to some extent in almost all of the 
states, although from the standpoint of money returns, the area of 
very successful cantaloupe culture is somewhat limited, yet it appears 
that it is more the question of cultural care, disease and insect pests, 
or favorable marketing facilities which determine the success of the 
industry in a given locality, rather than the specific soil or climatic 
conditions. 

Many people who attempt to grow cantaloupes secure indifferent 
results, because they do not realize the needs of the crop, nor seem to 
appreciate the fact that judgment and skill are required to meet the 
conditions. The questions of seed, soil, planting, cultivating, moisture, 
combating pests, picking and harvesting are all pertinent factors in suc- 
cessful cantaloupe growing. 

One of the most important points connected with the industry is 
in maturing the crop early, for here as elsewhere, "the early bird 
catches the worm," the high prices received for the first cantaloupes in 
a district, offers a great reward to the grower who is able to mature his 
crop a few days in advance of his neighbors. It is not uncommon in the 
vicinity of Rocky Ford for an extra early field to net a return of from 
two to three hundred dollars per acre, and it is in anticipation of such 
results that the grower plants his seed; but as the season advances it 
soon becomes evident that the many vicissitudes which constantly beset 
the crop, has caused many to fall behind in the race, and it is only a few" 
who by chance or good judgment are able to secure the early crates. 

Many factors that influence the development of the crop are beyond 
the control of the grower, but there are many elements that are within 
his power, and of these we wish to speak, not with a view to giving 
specific rules which would insure a crop of cantaloupes, for the varying 
conditions on different farms and different seasons would preclude that, 
but we hope to present the information that has grown out of observa- 
tion and experience, which will reveal the facts and principles that can 
be applied where conditions will fit, and which may lead some growers 
to greater success in growing cantaloupes. 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

CLIMATE 

Climatic conditions witliin certain limits are essential to success- 
ful cantaloupe culture, and the consideration of this topic may answer 
many questions as to the adaptability of some sections for melon grow- 
ing. First, there should be a long, hot suininer, with about five months 
free from killing frosts, with a daily maximum temperature between 80 
and 95 degrees during June, July and August, with a night temperature 
seldom falling below 60 degrees; four months may mature good canta- 
loupes, but with so short a season, frost would probably cut short the 
profits of the crop, unless, as is done in some of the northern states 
having too short season, the plants are started under frames in sods or 
paperbands; Second, there should be plenty of bright sunshine, without 
excessive rainfalls; this will secure good quality and lessen the liability 
to the attacks of fungus troubles, that are so often fatal to the melon 
crop in rainy sections or regions of heavy dews; without doubt the clear 
bright sunshine and the arid conditions of Southeastern Colorado, ac- 
counts for the high flavor and the fine qualities found in the Rocky Ford 
cantaloupes as is evidenced in the poor quality in the cantaloupes with 
an abnormal rain fall, which sometimes occurs. 

Sunlight is very essential to the full development of cantaloupes, 
for the quality is perceptibly inferior in shaded spots; the dry at- 
mospheric conditions cause rapid transpiration of the moisture, from 
the leaves, thus inducing a quick movement of sap or plant juices which 
increases the power to carry and deposit plant foods, thus developing 
and concentrating the spice of flavor and producing the very highest 
qualities. 

It is conceded by all experienced cantaloupe growers, that the canta- 
loupe thrives best in a warm, sandy loam; clay loam and other types 
of soil may produce a good crop if the tilth and fertility are good, but 
heavy soils are apt to be cold and backward, causing lateness in matur- 
ing, and it is also generally believed, that the nature of some types of 
soils seriously influences the form, size and other qualities of the canta- 
loupe. It is true, however, that the average size will vary in different 
seasons; in seasons of very favorable growth the cantaloupes will run 
to a large proportion of "jumbo melons" (larger than standard) in 
seasons less favorable, there will be more small or pony sizes. An actual 
test of a crop on a piece of land, is the best proof of the fitness of the 
soil for that crop; for while a chemical analysis may theoretically seem 
favorable, in practice it may prove otherwise. 

There are many factors that may influence the results; but in general 
the land that will grow other vine crops, such as cucumbers, pumpkins 
and squash, will probably grow good cantaloupes. 

Soil for cantaloupes should have good drainage, both surface and 
subsoil, and in irrigated regions the land must have a uniform slope 
or grade so that the water will run even, without soaking or flooding 
the hills; if there is one point above another in cantaloupe culture that 
needs special emphasis, it is the caution against oversoaking or flooding 
of the surface of the field; this will be further discussed under the 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEIED. 




Plate No. 3 — Leveling- Land, and Fining the Soil. 



topic "Irrigation," but the point must be held in mind in many of the 
operations, and in selecting the field, to have it will drained on the 
surface as well as the subsoil. 

If no detrimental soil conditions, like seepage or alkali, exists, the 
question of fertility is usually the most important one in relation to 
the soil; barnyard manure is an old standby, and cantaloupes of all 
crops will respond as well to well-rotted-compost better than any form 
of commercial fertilizer, but experience of the most convincing sort has 
shown that soil cannot be made to produce good cantaloupes indefinitely, 
year after year, by applying manure and artificial fertilizers. 

Aside from fertility there are also the questions of plant diseases, 
soil bacteria, and unbalanced food supply. Crop-rotation has proven to 
be the most practical and adequate means of preserving not only the 
proper fertility, but the nearest approach to securing uninfested soil 
conditions, hence, crop rotation becomes an important phase of cantaloupe 
culture. 

Alfalfa, to the western ranches occupies the same place that clover 
does to the eastern farmer, or the cow pea to the southern planter; 
these crops for their respective sections, provide ideal soil fertility and 
tilth for the cantaloupe. In Colorado alfalfa sod is the ideal soil prepara- 
tion for cantaloupes, and a comparison of the results on alfalfa sod 
with even well manured old land will convince the most skeptical. Plate 
No. I. Experience has demonstrated that early matured cantaloupes can 
hardly be expected on soil following a heavy fertility consuming crop, 
like sugar beets or corn, a good late crop being the usual result. Nearly 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

all the fine records of early yields and high prices have been made on 
soil that was in a perfect state of tilth and fertility. 

Soil can be made too Hch in applying manures, and the principal 
point in the application of fertilizers is to have a reasonable amount, and 
well incorporated in the soil, and in the case of barnyard manure, to have 
it well rotted. In Colorado, manuring in the hill, has been found to have 
no advantage over the broadcast method, owing probably to the wide 
s[)reading root system of the plant ; coniiiiercial fertilizers have not been 
profitably used in Colorado. 



PREPARING LAND FOR CANTALOUPES 

The secret of getting soil in that ashy, mellow condition so desirable 
for cantaloupes, is one largely of experience, for handling soil in the 
same manner on different farms will seldom get the same results; one 
may be a clay, the other a sandy loam. The texture and the previous 
cropping has much to do with the way soil can be handled. In general, 
there must be moisture in the soil during the winter to secure the mellow- 
ing effect of the frost, and the soil must not be handled too wet. If clay 
or adobe "packs," it will dry hard and lumpy; real sandy soil can be 
handled wet with less risks than other soils. The soil should be friable 
so that the harrow will pulverize it without clogging as it does in mud, 
and yet not so dry as to leave the field full of clods. 

Before plowing, the soil should be well disked for two reasons. 
First, to thoroughly mix the soil with any fertilizer previously applied 
and second, to pulverize the soil on the surface, so that after the work 
of preparation is complete, the bottom of the furrow will be as finely 
prepared as the top. Plowing for cantaloupes is usually made to the 
depth of five or six inches; in the arid region the plowed land must be 
closely harrowed behind the plow, to prevent too rapid drying of the 
surface, and should be closed up by fineing the soil on top; this is usually 
accomplished with the steel harrow with the teeth turned nearly flat, or 
with a float or land leveler, a fine dust mulch will check evaporation, and 
thus conserve the soil moisture, to enable a more thorough harrowing 
to complete the preparation. Preparing the land some time before planting 
is advisable as the soil becomes settled, and the seed will germinate more 
readily and a more uniform stand will be secured. The soil should also 
be harrowed after cold spring rains, to check evaporation, which will tend 
to aid in warming up the soil. Before laying out the rows to plant, while 
the surface of the soil is dry, the field should be carefully leveled with 
a land leveler; See Plate No. 3; removing all the high points and filling 
the hollows and deadfurrows, so that in irrigating the water will run 
uniformly without fiooding the rows, or over soaking any of the hills. 

About planting time, the field is laid off with a marker in rows five 
to six feet apart, in the opposite direction to the rows to be planted, which 
are laid off with the irrigation furrows, in the best direction for water 
to run, the irrigation rows are usually made about the same distance 
apart, usually six feet, these furrows can be made with a single shovel 
plow or a two row marker or furrower, shown in Plate No. 4. In the 
non-irrigated regions these furrows could serve for surface drainage after 
heavy rains. 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. 4 — Marking Out Cantaloupe Rows, with Two-row Marker. 



SEED TO PLANT 



The question of seed, its variety, and the selection and breeding be- 
hind it is of utmost importance in growing a crop of cantaloupes for mar- 
ket; being as essential to success as is the selection of the variety of fruit 
trees to be set in a commercial orchard; the markets have certain de- 
mands for certain kinds of fruit, and the grower must meet that demand. 
A market may become educated to take a new fruit of merit, but it will 
not be forced to take what may be the misfortune of the grower to pro- 
duce. There are local demands for several varieties of muskmelons and 
cantaloupes, but the development of cantaloupe growing, as an industry, 
has been since the introduction of the Netted Gem type of melon; its 
small, uniform size adapting it for packing in crates for long shipments, 
while its fine flavor, its quality and attractive appearance have been other 
points in its favor. Unquestionably it is one of the best varieties grown, 
but doubtless there is confusion in the minds of many who see the long 
lists of varieties published in some of the seed catalogues, of different 
strains, but which in reality is but one type of cantaloupe. Each seed 
firm, commission house or grower having named and renamed their par- 
ticular strain until the original identity has been lost; but regardless of 
what might be said, or has been said, along this line, there are really but 
few strains of the Rocky Ford Netted Gem type that deserves the distinction 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

of a different variety name. By this, one should not infer, that it makes 
little difference what strain is planted. In the breeding of livestock, an 
animal may be a Shorthorn or a Jersey, yet be absolutely worthless to 
head a herd; it is the question of the individual merit of the animal, and 
so with the cantaloupe; there must be a system of seed selection which 
recognizes the individual plan as the unit of selection, to give value to the 
seed, and not merely a name applied to attract the buyer. 

Cantaloupe seed cannot be judged by its appearance, for fine looking 
seed can be saved from worthless stock, nor is the price paid for the seed 
a sufficient test of its value, for great quantities of seed are bought from 
cull piles and unmarketable cantaloupes at an insignificant price at first, 
but after passing through the hands of several seed jobbers, it gradually 
assumes a price that would seem to warrant it being good seed, by the 
grower who does not suspect its true character until a seasons' labor may 
have been lost. 

The seed jobber can seldom reach the standard advertised until the 
seed breeder and the seed grower stands back of him. Contract seed, 
mis-labeled seed, substituted orders, renamed varieties and extravagant 
claims have shaken the confidence of many growers; a competent seed 
breeder, should be able to guarantee the seed he produces as to variety, 
purity and general qualities, and the seed firm that deserves the confi- 
dence of growers must deal in reliable seed all the time. 

There has been a great awakening on the subject of improved seed 
selection for all crops and the cantaloupe grower who does not keep pace 
with the advance of knowledge in this line, must expect to fall short in 
his profits. Seed breeding means more than the selection of seed from 
an average crop, that would tend only to produce average results. 

The same laws that govern the breeding of animals also control the 
improvement of plants. Any fair minded man will acknowledge that 
thoroughbred animals are more profitable than scrubs, or even average 
stock, and the same is true of pedigreed plants. But we must get the 
true conception of seed selection, — not the idea of the uninformed farmer 
who, with his wife spent their evenings for many days, selecting seed 
corn from a lot of shelled corn that he had purchased for feed. And the 
man, who selects his cantaloupe seed at the packing shed is almost as far 
wrong, for the plant that produced the seed has not been considered. 

Scientific plant breeding and seed selection are based on two funda- 
mental factors that cause variations in plants, — Environment and Heredity. 
The ever changing conditions of soil and climate, and cultural care will 
effect the qualities of plants, and the different combinations of these in- 
fluences may produce from the same seed, under different conditions very 
contrasting results, — it may be ideal, or undesirable; for this reason a 
crop producing fine specimens under favorable conditions does not prove 
conclusively that the crop should be saved for seed, for the weak heredity 
that may be present, under more adverse conditions, might disclose the 
serious defects. Hereditary tendencies cannot be determined before hand 
by the appearance of the seed, nor from the perfect specimens from which 
it may have been saved. 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. 5 — Planting Cantaloupes, uiili a Hand Planter. 

Heredity is a subtle, unseen force, difficult to understand, and which 
can only be determined by the performance record of the seed tested 
under a wide range of conditions, or better still by selecting a number 
of fine specimens and saving the seed of each separately, and then grow- 
ing all under uniform conditions of soil, climate and cultural care; this 
will largely nullify the effects of environment, and the variations thus 
disclosed, may be reasonably ascribed to heredity and the selections made 
accordingly. 

Experience has shown that certain plants, like some individual 
animals possess strong hereditary power to reproduce uniformly, a de- 
sirable trait or character, while other individual plants have poor repro- 
ducing traits, and for seed purposes are really worthless. 

Seed breeding is practical; it is not a theory or a fancy, but a rea- 
sonable, result-producing process. The most successful farmers are giv- 
ing it careful consideration, nor does the improvement of seed add a bur- 
den of labor and expense; but comes as an added asset to the growers 
wealth, and increases his pride in his crop. 

Comparatively few men are capable of producing their seed for if 
they are growing cantaloupes for market, their time and attention must 
be occupied with the crop, and to select, cut and cure high grade canta- 
loupe seed requires no little training and experience, and some little 
equipment. 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

The grower who buys his seed should deal directly with a reliable 
breeder who is qualified, and is making a specialty of growing the crop 
for seed ; a grower should not submit his seed order for "lowest bid" if 
he expects good seed. He must be willing to pay as much, at least, for 
the seed as the cantaloupes from which it was saved, would bring had 
they been marketed, in Colorado that would mean from one to two dollars 
per pound, as it requires at least a standard crate to save a pound of 
select seed. 

The seed from the arid region in high altitudes has proven to be 
superior to seed grown in the humid sections, both for vigor and early 
maturity. The big cantaloupe growers from California and the Southern 
states realize this, for they look to Rocky Ford each year for their can- 
taloupe seed, and all testify that they get earlier and more uniform canta- 
loupes from the Rocky Ford grown seed. 



PLANTING AND SECURING A STAND 

The first requisite in planting cantaloupes, is to have the weather 
warm, for warmth and moisture are the two essentials in seed germina- 
tion. Many growers make the mistake of planting while the ground 
is yet cold, with freezing temperature occurring every few nights. If per- 
chance the days are warm enough to germinate the seed, the plants are 
stunted and make a slow tantalizing growth, should they be so fortunate 
as to escape these late frosts of spring. 

As a general rule, a few days before the latest freeze may be ex- 
pected, is as early as it is safe to plant. At Rocky Ford, May 1st, marks 
the usual date of the latest frost, but even then there are risks to run, 
as killing frosts have occurred as late as the tenth of May, or even later. 
It is coniinon for cantaloupes planted as early as the tenth of May to 
begin to ripen as soon as the earlier planted seed, so as a rule it is not to 
much advantage to plant very early; the grower, must be the judge in 
regard to his soil and climate. 

There are two systems of planting cantaloupes, — the tlrill-row and in 
hills. In the hill system, the field is check-rowed like corn, to permit cul- 
tivating in each direction, the rows usually being laid off five to six feet 
apart, and the hills about the same distance in the rows. By dropping eight 
to ten seed to the hill, it will require about a pound of seed to plant an 
acre. It is advisable to plant plenty of seed in order to secure a good 
stand, allowing for the attacks of the cutworms and other destruc- 
tive agencies. 

There are two methods of planting cantaloupes in hills, — with a hoe, 
and with a hand planter, commonly called a "snapper" shown in Plate 
No. 5. The rotary type of this form of planter is usually the most satis- 
factory, but some modifications are usually necessary to fit it for dropping 
cantaloupe seed. 

10 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. 6— Planting- Cantaloupt-s with Garden Drill. 



By filling the holes one of the regular corn dropping plates with 
lead, then by boreing out with a three-eights drill bit and by testing and 
enlarging the holes it can be regulated to drop quite well; the seed box 
will also need close fitting, to prevent the thin flat seed from leaking out. 
A block or stop should be attached to the blades at about the depth to 
plant, about one and a half inches, this will insure uniform depth, which 
is essential. Great care should be exercised to have the depression or 
hole formed in the soil by the thrust of the planter, filled or leveled with 
the foot; otherwise the seed will dry out, field mice will more readily find 
the hills, and a hard dash of rain will form a hard chunk, or crust right 
over the seed. The surface of the soil should be dry to insure good work 
with the planter. A man with some experience can plant from three to 
five acres per day with a planter, while one acre per day is about all that 
can be accomplished with a hoe. 

The principal argument for the hill system of growing cantaloupes, is 
the economy in labor, for more of the weeding and hoeing can be done 
with a horse. 

In the drill system the rows are usually put about the same distance 
apart, but the seed are sown in drill rows, the seed being dropped every 
two or three inches; this method requires about two to three pounds of 
seed per acre. The seed is sown either with a hand drill, shown in Plate 

11 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

No. 6, the horse planter or the sugar beet drill is used in the Rocky Ford 
district. The important point is to get the seed dropped uniformly, and 
the drill set to plant at a uniform depth, — not over one and a half inches; 
as soon as the plants are nicely up they should be thinned to single plants, 
far enough apart to permit hoeing between. After the danger from insect 
injuries is over, and about the time the first blossoms appear, the plants 
should be thinned again to one plant every two feet, on the average; the 
tendency at this point is to leave the plants too thick, especially if the 
plants are extra fine. The most advanced plants are selected, which is 
the cause of the drilled fields usually maturing earlier than the hill planted, 
and the earlier development usually compensates for the extra cost of the 
increased amount of seed, and the added labor of thinning. 

The essential points in planting are to get the seed planted at a 
uniform depth, and at a uniform distance from the irrigation furrow; 
to have the soil fine and firmed just right, to skillfully conserve and apply 
moisture, and to keep a crust from interfering with the young seedlings. 

In the arid regions the seed is usually planted about one-half inch 
deeper than it is expected the plants will come through, in order to hold 
the moisture line to the seed. When the seed is well sprouted the hills 
are raked off with a garden rake, removing the crust and any clods that 
might interfere. Sometimes the field is harrowed across the rows with 
good results, especially where the rows are drilled in. This matter of 
"raking off" and keeping the surface fine over the hills is a very import- 
ant point to be observed in securing a good stand. 



IRRIGATION 

The moisture problem in cantaloupe growing is a very important 
one. Some times in the humid sections, there is too much water, and it 
becomes the question of how to save the crop, but little can be said here, 
except to select well drained fields for the cantaloupes and provide the 
field with furrows, like the irrigation furrow, to carry off the excess rain 
water, and to plant on somewhat raised hills or ridges. 

In the arid sections the moisture for the crop as a rule depends on 
the irrigation furrow, and the skill of the grower to so manipulate the soil 
and water. Too many look upon irrigation as a simple process of run- 
ning water through the rows, or over the ground, paying little or no at- 
tention to the needs or demands, or the dangers of flooding or oversoaking 
the land. When soil is completely saturated with water, the air is prac- 
tically all driven out and the soil settles, which defeats the very object 
and purpose of plowing and the other work of soil preparation, which will 
dry hard and nothing but frost can ever mellow it as before. 

12 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. 7 — Irrigating to Germinate Seed, Without Flooding 



The application of water to all such crops as cantaloupes should be 
by sub-irrigation, that is, the moisture should soak through the soil to 
the plant or seed, from the irrigation furrow, without the surface of the 
soil, except in the furrows coming in contact with the water; this is essen- 
tial, not only for the needs of the plants, but also the same amount of 
water will serve a longer time, the needs of the plants, the water rights 
in some ditches makes it necessary to conserve the moisture as long as 
possible. 

In order to supply the moisture uniformly to the seed along the row, 
the seed must have been planted at a uniform distance from the water line, 
about four to six inches, to insure uniformity in the soaking of the rows, 
the rows should be "logged" out, or smoothed out with a short piece of 
log about the size of the furrow; this will cause the water to run through 
quickly, and by regulating the amount in each row, the rows will become 
uniformly wet without flooding or soaking the ground. Plate No. 7 
shows a field being properly irrigated, to germinate the seed. When the 
water can be gotten through the rows quickly and the amount regulated 
to supply the row about as fast as it soaks in the soil, the upper and 
lower parts of the row will become wet at about the same time and amount, 
with practically little water wasted. 

The idea is to soak the rows until the water has fully reached the 
seed, while the surface over the hill remains nearly dry; this is ideal con- 

13 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

ditions for gei'ininatioii and is sufficient for the needs of tlie plants in all 
the early irrigations. Later the rows can be soaked till moisture shows 
on surface back to the plants as in Plate No. 8. 

Under Colorado conditions, one irrigation after planting, and one 
again about the time the plants are coming up, is ordinarily all that 
is reciuired until after the first cultivation, after that irrigation and 
cultivation alternate each other every week or ten days, the exact number 
of times depending on the weather and soil conditions. 

The amount of irrigation necessary to secure the best results in 
cantaloupe culture, is subject to so many varying factors, that it is 
impossible to lay down an exact rule. In the first place, the cantaloupe 
does not thrive in a wet soil, as evidenced by the injury and poor quality 
of the crop in seasons of excessive rain. The needs of the crop in the 
first stages are very small, and as light watering as possible to secure 
the needed moisture, is best; then as the plant developes the amount of 
irrigation should be increased, Hsht, fi-equent irrigations, rather than 
heavy soakings at long intervals has proven to be the best plan. 

When the vines are nearly grown and set full of developing fruit 
a heavier irrigation is then needed by the plant, but as soon as the fruit 
have reached their growth, light waterings should again be the rule; to 
insure the best quality, little if any irrigation should be applied during 
the picking season, just enough to prevent severe wilting; it is at this 
time that the cantaloupe "rust" fungus makes its appearance, and 
moisture and dews are favorable to its development. 

The dryer the season, the better the quality in cantaloupes, is 
an axiom that should induce more careful irrigation among cantaloupe 
growers in the irrigated sections. 

The relation of irrigation to early setting of cantaloupes is a some- 
what mooted question; there are growers who argue the use of frequent 
irrigations during the setting period in order to secure a good set, but 
others prefer to keep their vines dry, even allowing them to show the 
need of moisture before they will permit irrigation during this stage. 

It is evident that the season and climatic conditions have more 
to do with the setting of fruit than the watering; there are experiences 
that might seem to support both theories; yet continued observations 
would indicate that a grower is not warranted in following either course 
to the extreme, but rather the medium plan of providing just enough 
moisture to secure an even, healthy growth all the way through, would 
seem to be most favorable condition. 

An excess of water in hot weather is apt to induce a heavy growth 
of vine at the expense of early "sets" due to the rank growth, and such 
succulent growth is also much more liable to succumb to the attack of 
diseases and insect pests. 



CULTIVATION AND CARE 

If there is a secret in getting early cantaloupes, it is in growing 
them from start to finish in such a way that the growth is not checked 

14 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. S — Letting the Water Soak More as the Plants Grow 



at any time. The cantaloupe does not seem to have the power to rally 
from a check in growth or an injury of any kind; the set back, not only 
hinders the production of early fruits, but seriously affects the size 
and yield of the cantaloupes. There are numerous instances where un- 
favorable conditions of some kind, have checked the growth, in some 
part of a field that was planted and otherwise handled the same; invari- 
ably that portion of the field will show marked difference in size, netting 
or other qualities. The best promise of a good crop is a prompt and 
steady growth from germination to maturity. 

The seedling period is the critical time in the development of a 
crop of cantaloupes, for it is at this stage that the check in growth 
usually occurs, from cold weather, high winds, lack of moisture or the 
attacks of insects. 

A knowledge of the manner of growth of tlie root system and de- 
velopment of the seedling, will in a measure explain the reasons for 
the steps taken and the precautions that are necessary at this time in 
handling the crop through this important period. 

Plate No. 2, represents two cantaloupe seedlings, the one on the 
right revealing the plan of the root system that first develops when the 
seed germinates; it penetrates almost directly down from the seed while 
the stem or radical is pushing its way to the surface. These little roots 
seem to form a temporary support for the plant during the first, two or 
three weeks, for up to this time the stem from the seed point to the 
top of the ground is smooth and white, with no evidence of the lateral 

15 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

roots which are shown on the stem of the seedling to the left in the 
picture. 

The second root system develops from the stem about the time 
the fifth leaf appears, or four to five weeks after germination; these 
roots seem to form the main feeders of the plant, for the growth of 
the plant is almost insignificant until it feels the impulse of this larger 
and better root system. The question of good early growth and ma- 
turity almost hinges on the success of the farmer in supplying the 
conditions that will favor the early and proper development of this 
lateral, or main root system. It seems evident that the depth of plant- 
ing and the manner of managing the soil in the hill has an important 
relation to the early development of these lateral roots. Experience 
teaches that seed planted much over two inches in depth are slow and 
difficult to germinate, being weakened by the long stem that is necessary 
to reach the surface, and on the other hand, if planting is too shallow, 
the seeds are apt to dry out, or if rain follows a crust will form, which 
must be removed, and that often exposes the seeds that are not planted 
at a sufficient depth, with fatal results, or leaves the plant with too 
shallow a stem support, it is then whipped and wrung by the high, 
drying winds or exposed to the attacks of the cucumber beetle. 

Seed will germinate readily when weather conditions are favorable, 
if planted at about the depth indicated by the white portion of the 
stem of the seedling on the left in Plate No. 2. 

When the seed leaves are nearly to the surface, the hills should 
be raked off, removing any crust or dry lumps which may obstruct the 
little melon plant. Plenty of seed should be used to provide against a 
loss in handling the hills, or from the attacks of insects. It also affords 
a chance to select the thriftiest individual plants when the thinning 
is done. Owing to the injuries from the striped cucumber beetle, the 
thinning should be delayed until the plants have about the fifth leaf, 
when the beetle will not do much more injury, the extra plants in the 
hill should be destroyed by pinching or cutting off the stems, as pulling 
them out may disturb the plants to be left. 



HOEING 

Hoeing the hills is of great importance, but it should be done with 
skill both as to the time and in the manner it is done, for careless hoeing 
is a common error; if the seed has been properly planted in mellow 
soil and the irrigation properly applied, there is no reason for deep 
hoeing in and close to the hill, as it only disturbs the plant and dries out 
the soil; weeds can be destroyed by rather shallow hoeing. 

The dry, cloddy soil on the surface of the hill, should be removed 
and replaced with fine mellow soil drawn up from away from the hill, 
hilling up the plants as much as possible; even to almost covering the 
two seed leaves, this will protect the plants from wind, and insects 
to a large measure; but the most important feature of this process is 
the holding of the moisture well upon the stems, affording the best con- 
dition for a long base for the development of the roots, as well as supplying 
the plant with moisture. If on the other hand, the soil in the hill is 
loosened up with the hoe and not hilled up by drawing the loosened soil 
to the plant with the hoe, the hill will usually dry out, and only a short 
portion of the stem be in moist soil to induce root development. 

16 




PLaTl J 




Fty^TE^-. 



COLO AG LXP^TA. 



Plate No. 9— Showing Development of Cantaloupes. Photo Taken July 2. 
Plate No. 10— Same Field Two Weeks Later. 

17 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



CULTIVATION 

A thorough preparation of the soil before it is planted to canta- 
loupes will very much lessen the necessity for so much cultivation after- 
wards, but a good deal depends on frequent and thorough tillage during 
the early stages of the growth of cantaloupes, at first it should be deep 
and thorough, but not close enough to disturb the plants; the cultiva- 
tions should be more shallow and further from the hills as the plants 
develop. The grower who cutlivates deep and close to the hill because 
the vines do not prevent this, is cutting off roots, setting back his crop 
more than he is doing good. He should understand the growth of the 
roots, for they form the counterpart of the vines on the surface, only 
they ramify the soil more thoroughly and to a greater distance than the 
length of the vines, so it is easily possible to damage the crop by care- 
less cultivation. Plates Nos. 9 and 10 gives a conception of the root 
system which must exist to produce the rapid increase of growth in so 
short a time. The first was taken July 2, 1904, and represents the growth 
of about eight weeks, the next was taken at the same spot just two weeks 
later, examinations in the soil between the rows will reveal the tiny 
rootlet very thick, four to five inches deep, hence surface tillage after 
the vines start should be the rule. 



TOOLS USED IN CANTALOUPE CULTURE 

The fourteen-toothed cultivator, with a steel weeding knife bolted 
across between the two back teeth, so as to run just below the surface, 
an inch or two, has become the most popular tool for cultivating on land 
clean of alfalfa roots or trash. This gives ideal tillage, and practically 
kills all the weeds except in the hills. 

On alfalfa sod where the crowns would gather on the knife it is 
not so pleasant to use yet it will do very satisfactory work, but here 
the five-toothed cultivator is usually used; this tool is also used to furrow 
out rows by closing it up and placing a large shovel on the rear shank. 
When the cantaloupes are "laid by" (cultivated and furrowed out the 
last time) the irrigating furrows are made somewhat larger than before 
and they should be "logger out" so that water can make its way through 
the rows after the vines have covered the ditches, it is also a good plan 
to lay the vines around out of the furrows once, to train them as much 
as possible away from the furrows; this will keep many of the cantaloupes 
out of the ditch, though the vines will eventually nearly cover the ground. 



INSECT ENEMIES 

We will discuss this subject from the grower's standpoint only 
simply mentioning the methods that have proven to be the most successful 
under Colorado conditions. Doubtless in other states there are other pests 
and other conditions to influence the results. 

18 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



No sooner has the seed germinated, than the struggle for existence 
begins; an effectual precaution is to plant plenty of seed, scattering it 
well in the hill, and even replanting before it is evidently necessary, — 
usually some replanting is required anyway. Crop rotation also, is often 
a good way of avoiding infested fields, in fact, "prevention is better than 
cure," in fighting insects and plant diseases. 

The destruction of insect-harbors, such as weeds, old vines and 
plants, should be given more consideration, and the cultivation of the 
fields in the late fall, winter and early spring, will destroy many eggs 
and insects that pass the winter in the soil. — grasshoppers and cutworms 
for instance. 

The little striped cucumber beetle is doubtless one of the most com- 
mon enemies the melon growers have to combat. A long list of remedies 
have been suggested and tried, but the best method is to keep the soil 
in the hill as fine as possible even to putting dust on the hill and thus 
prevent the beetles from depositing their eggs on the stems as the plant 
pushes itself through the cracks of the soil that would otherwise occur 
if the soil in the hill were not soft and fine; dusting the hills with air 
slacked lime, through a common gunny sack, or spraying with the bor- 
deaux mixture as soon as the plants appear are the best remedies. To- 
bacco, ashes or any dust bath are good repellants. 

The cucumber beetle is easily frightened, and continual cultivation 
will often do much to keep the field clear until the plants reach a stage 
where the beetles will not do much injury. 

The melon aphis is doubtless the most serious pest that the canta- 
loupe has to contend against in many places, and one against which 
resistance is least effectual where conditions are favorable to the aphis. 

Fortunately for the growers in Colorado, the natural enemies of the 
aphis usually hold them in check quite effectually; the lady-beetle, the 
Syrphus flies and the lace-winged fly are the principal enemies to the 
aphis, some seasons a little parasitic fly destroys many aphis. 

The only effective measure seems to be a careful watch of the fields 
to destroy the first plants found to be infested with aphis, as it seems 
that only a few insects are able to pass the winter, and they seem to 
spread from a few isolated points, and if these can be destroyed by 
finding them and burying them, early, has seemed to be the only plan to 
adopt, as spraying and fumigation has been tried by the most competent 
experts with very unsatisfactory results. 

The introduction of the natural enemies, like the lady-beetles has 
been tried in California with some promise, but this plan is in an ex- 
perimental stage as yet. The necessity of supplying the enemy as soon 
as the aphis appears, makes this plan rather impractical for the grower. 

Destroying the winter harbor or host plant of the melon-aphis would 
seem to be the best measure to adopt if possible; this winter harbor has 
not fully been determined for some points. 

19 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Permission Colo. Exp. Sta. 

Plate No. 11— Two Plants that Grew in the Same Hill, One Killed with Rust, 
the Other Rust Resisting. 



20 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 












♦ ^•^ 



..$' 



!^ 






^ -. '>i 










Plate No. 12—1. A Vine Rusted on Check Row. 

Resistance to Rust. 



Adjacent Vine Showing 



PLANT DISEASES 

Crop rotation, seed selection, or breeding for disease resistance offer 
the best means of controlling plant diseases; the spraying of the crop 
with the Bordeaux mixture or other fungicides is about the only other 
means at hand. In Colorado, spraying has not proven as successful as 
is reported to be in other states, doubtless due to different climatic con- 
ditions. 

Careful control of irrigation seems to offer one means of lessening 
the attacks of some of the fungus troubles in the arid sections. 



HARVESTING 

After all injuries to the crop have been explained and remedial 
measures suggested, there still remains one great cause of poor returns 
from the cantaloupe crop, viz., careless and unscrupulous methods of mar- 
keting. When cantaloupes are scarce and sales are quick, there seems 
to be no power on earth that will stay the hand of the average grower 
as he pushes his crop onto the market, with the encouragement of advices 
from his progressive (?) commission merchant; together they have pro- 
duced a glutted market with inferior products, instead of protecting the 
markets with a quality that would increase consumption, they simply let 
it fill up with everything and anything, and neither the grower or the 
consumer is benefitted. It is common for growers to admit that they 
are shipping cantaloupes that are not fit to be eaten, and it is not strange 
that a similar complaint comes from the consumer. 

21 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



PICKING 

When green or over-ripe melons are allowed to go onto the markets, 
the trouble usually is in the picking; careless or mistaken ideas often 
prevailing. There is a very narrow limit in the stage of ripeness that 
a cantaloupe can be picked and have it in the right condition for distant 
markets. On one hand, it can not be picked so green as a tomato or 
lemon, and still ripen during shipment to fair quality, nor, on the other 
hand, can it be allowed to show any distinct color of ripeness, like an 
apple, without it becoming too soft on long shipments. 

It should be ripe enough so the flesh will be sweet when cut open, 
yet too hard to be eaten for a day or two; it requires skill and ex- 
perience to determine the proper stage. 

Jocularly, it has been said, "The cantaloupe has three stages in 
three days, — green, ripe and rotten." This expresses the fact that there 
is a very short period for marketing the crop in good condition, yet if 
picked at the proper stage, handled right, under refrigeration it can be 
shipped to distant markets in quite normal condition. 

It is hard to describe to a novice, just how to detect the right stage 
to pick a cantaloupe; there is first, a very slight change of color in 
the interstices of the netting, hardly enough, however, to attract the 
attention of the inexperienced; second, it is tried with a pressure of the 
thumb or forefinger, when it should "slip," that is, separate in the same 
manner as when real ripe, but requiring some little force but not enough 
to break the stem or flesh out, conditions of the vines, and climate will 
at times vary the picker's judgment to some extent; but by cutting oc- 
casionally a melon the point can be decided. It is very essential that 
pickers be carefully instructed, and closely watched, for the good returns 
should not be expected from green, or overripe cantaloupes. 



PACKING 

The fruit should be carefully handled, not bruised, or roughly 
shaken to loosen the seed cavitj', they should be hurried to the shade 
and crated as soon as possible; the cantaloupes should be carefully graded 
before crating, not only as to size, but for condition of ripeness; for 
there will always be some a little too ripe which must not be crated with 
the green-ripes, or the markets will suffer. In grading, the ripe melons 
can often be marketed in local or nearby markets, and the ones just right 
reserved for the long distance shipments. 

In crating, the layers must be uniform, and tight, but not so 
crowded as to crush or bruise the flesh, yet there should not be a loose 
melon in the crate if it is expected to carry well. 

The crate has been the standard package for long distance hauls. 
The standard crate of forty-five cantaloupes has been most popular, but 
there is a tendency nov>^ for different sized crates, so that a better grade 
of packing is possible; as it is impossible to find cantaloupes that will 
run absolutely uniform, the different seasons will change the proportion 
of standard to "jumbo" or "pony" cantaloupes, and it is not possible to 
crate the different sizes and make a uniform pack. 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 






Plate No. 13— Type of Old "Netted Gem."— Colo. Exp. Sta. 



HISTORY OF SOME OF THE STRAINS OF 
ROCKY FORD CANTALOUPES 

The Netted Gem variety was introduced from France, about 1880, 
and it was this variety, grown at Rocliy Ford. Colorado, that at once 
popularized the cantaloupe, on account of the exceptional fine flavor and 
marketing qualities of this cantaloupe as grown under Colorado condi- 
tions. The general type of this cantaloupe is shown in Plate No. 13, a 
closely netted type with clear cut sectors, as a rule small in size, averag- 
ing about one and a quarter pounds, green fleshed shading to yellow at 
the seed cavity, of a very sweet spicy flavor. 

In the early history of the industry, the growers around Rocky Ford 
purchased their seed from eastern seed firms, but on a number of occa- 
sions badly mixed seed was the result, and different growers began to 
save their own seed, while all of the "Gem" type of cantaloupe, different 
growers had different conceptions of the ideal type, with these different 
ideas of selection, and possibly some cross fertilization from the mixed 
lots of seed, there developed several quite distinct strains of the now 
popularly known variety of Rocky Ford Netted Gem; some with a solid 
net, that is, uniformly netted all over, without the clear cut sectors and 
there were various other distinguishing traits. 

About 1900 the "melon rust" became serious, and the Colorado Ex- 
periment Station, instituted several experiments in spraying, and in 1904 
began the investigation to develop a disease resistant strain of the Rocky 
Ford variety. A comparative test of the different strains were tried 
under uniform conditions, and it was found that one strain that had 
been developed by Mr. .J. P. Pollock revealed the desired trait to a markefl 
degree, the report of these investigations has been reported in the Colorado 
Bulletin No. 104. 

23 



CANTALOUPE CULT URE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

THE RUST-RESISTANT POLLOCK 

An interesting history of tliis strain from Mr. Pollock, who had 
retired from cantaloupe growing, is reprinted from the above named 

bulletin: 

190S Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, Oct. 6th, 1905. 
Mr. P. K. Blinn, 
Dear Sir: — 

Yours at hand; I note what you say regarding the Pollock cantaloupe 
with pleasure, mainly because if you are correct in your conclusions as 
to its rust resisting qualities, I have been instrumental in doing good to 
the community. 

Now as to its history; I began growing the strain nine years ago m 
Holbrook, my first experience in melon culture and farming in Colorado. 

I got two lots of seed from Ellingwood and Hauck, one at 50 cts. per 
lb and the other at $3.00 per lb.; the 50c seed grew large melons, too 
large, not one tenth being of a size to crate. The $3.00 seed produced 
good cantaloupes, most of them good sized and very heavy netted, not 
a short melon but correct in length: I saved my seed selecting the proper 
size and netting,— you may draw your own conclusions as to whether 
there was cross fertilization producing the origin of my future strain. 

The next vear I planted at Rocky Ford; I had a fine growth of vines 
and setting of cantaloupes, I distinctly remember the heavy growth of 
vines. It was my' first experience with plenty of water, and I over- 
watered and the rust struck the patch, and I had quite a failure; the 
whole patch was ruined and I was soon counted out at the platform on 
the score of rusted vines. However, I selected my seed from the patch, 
selecting a large sized melon with a white close netting, and a perfect 
cantaloupe as I remember it, in the midst of the rusted vines; I never 
had much trouble with rust after that, and in the light of your conclu- 
sions as to its rust resisting tendencies, I now believe, I unwittingly 
selected a rust resisting melon, as the rest of my crop were slick melons 
that failed to mature. Thereafter I always had my eye on that same 
type of melon in selecting my seed; it was a full large sized melon, with 
netting over the blossom end; not a long melon, but rather inclined to 
be short, but it had the qualities. By selection I reduced the size of 
my cantaloupes down till the last two years that I grew them they 
averaged well to crate nicely. I often thought of changing my stock 
of seed, but after going through the season, having very little trouble 
with culls or inferior melons and the quality seeming to me superior 
in comparison with anything I could get hold of, I stayed with it. I 
could easily see that they had peculiarities of their own compared with 
other cantaloupes. 

Now if the using of my name in this connection meets with your ap- 
proval, it is certainly satis'fatcory to me, and I will feel honored. Wishing 
you success in the work and asking for a copy of your Bulletin, I am. 

Yours truly, 

J. P. POI.LOCK. 

This bit of history reveals why this strain of seed shows resistant 
tendency; it has a line of selection to that end, though unintentional at 
the time. There is an old law in nature called the "Survival of the fittest," 
it applies to plants as well as animals; it simply means that in nature, 
individuals that are able to grow and develop in the midst of adverse con- 
ditions are thus naturally selected to resist these conditions. 

Mr. Pollock has since informed the writer that the large cantaloupe 
referred to in his letter was a salmon colored fleshed one, and the well 
netted one was the regular green fleshed type of the Gem strain. As the 
Pollock strain has always shown a mixture of both green and salmon type 
of flesh, it seems reasonable to suppose that this strain was the direct result 
of cross fertilization between the two strains Mr. Pollock had, and may 
also account for the resistant tendency of this one strain, while all other 
strains tested revealed no resistant tendency whatever. 

24 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



i '*'- 



V 



'<'.<.' 









r *-/ - "i ^' ^. 



^j^' 



<'^" 



rX^-^^ 



.^^ :^^^L2 



■iar*' ■ "^ - 



r»2?'- 










>1^.^'^' 



Plate No. 14— Blinn's Rust-Resistant Pollock. 

Plate No. 14, is characteristic of tlie Pollock cantaloupe well netted, 
entirely covering the whole surface, it has a small seed cavity as a rule, 
and is one of the best of shippers, the many desirable qualities of the Pol- 
lock strain, naturally brought it into popular favor, and it has been renamed 
by several parties, "The Rust-resistant," the "Eden Gem," "Netted Rock", 
and "Ironclad" are some of the names it is sold under. This cantaloupe 
is inclined to run to standard and "jumbo" sizes rather than to "pony." 
The quality of the flesh is exceptionally fine grain, sweet and spicy. There 
are both green and salmon colored flesh found in the usual strain of Pol- 
lock, but the strain developed by the Experiment Station was selected for 
the green colored flesh as at one time it was thought to be superior to the 
salmon colored flesh, but recently it has been found to be an individual 
plant trait, and some of the finest flavor is found in the salmon fleshed. 
The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Breeders' Association has isolated one of the 
salmon fleshed Pollock, known as Pollock No. 25, which is shown on the 
cover of this work. It is hard to conceive a more attractive type of canta- 
loupe. The colors in this colored plate are true to this strain, and this 
particular strain has shown the highest points of all desirable qualities. 
The Pollock strains are inclined to make a rather slow growth at first, but 
eventually grow a very heavy vine, but are about a week later than some 
other strains but the disease resistance of the plant has made it the most 
desirable variety to grow where there is danger of the fungus troubles in 
rainy sections. 

25 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. 15— The Ryan's Early Watters. 



Aside from the Pollock strain, there is another strain of the solid 
netted type, that is extensively grown on account of its very early ma- 
turity, this known as Ryan's Early Watters; in its general appearance 
it is almost identical with the Pollock, a typical specimen being shown 
in Plate No. 15. This strain has made the best record for money returns 
on account of its early maturity. It germinates a very vigorous plant 
that sets fruit early, and seems to mature its crop in a short period of 
harvest, often only covering ten to fourteen days of harvest period. The 
large yield of early cantaloupes when prices average high, is the strong 
point in favor of this strain. It begins to ripen about August first at Rocky 
Ford, while the Pollock is almost ten days later. The color of its flesh 
is green shading to yellow at the seed cavity, flavor much the same as the 
Pollock it is little more inclined to the open seed cavity, and will usually 
succumb to the Melon "rust," which makes this strain or variety better 
suited to the regions where this trouble is not a serious drawback. These 
two above mentioned strains constitute the principal varieties grown in 
the Rocky Ford vicinity, with one exception, a melon of the Osage type. 
This cantaloupe originally came out under the name "Defender" from the 
United States Department seed distribution. This has been renamed, "Bur- 
rell's Gem", "Osage Gem," and "Pink Meat." 

This cantaloupe has been grown in different states, but its tendency to 
crack open when nearly ripe has been objectionable to it. Under Colorado 
conditions it has made quite a reputation. The flesh is deep salmon color 
with a very small seed cavity, it has exceptional fine keeping quality, it 

26 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 

has a very solid flesh when first ripe which requires several days to mellow 
up. It has a decided flavor distinct from the Gems. 

It is a late maturing strain, and is quite subject to the "rust" and 
the tendency to crack are the principal drawbacks to the strain. 

Over a hundred varieties of cantaloupes and muskmelons have been 
tried in the tests on the Experiment Station at Rocky Ford including many 
of the foreign introductions and not any have shown a superior trait to 
those above mentioned. 

There are several artificial crosses that have been made, between the 
Pollock and the Early Watters with a view to combining the disease resist- 
ance and early production of the two, one of these crosses made by the 
Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Breeders' Association, known as Early-Rust-Re- 
sistant No. 2, is a very promising hybrid, for two years it has shown as 
early maturity as the Watters strain and as disease resistance as the Pol- 
lock. The melon is very much a combination of the two strains, except it is 
green fleshed like the Watters. 

There is also several crosses of the Osage type with the Pollock and 
Ryan's Early Strain, these have not been grown long enough to determine 
the results. 

To those who may be interested in making cantaloupe hybrids we 
reprint the methods of artificial fertilization from Colorado Experiment 
Station Bulletin No. 126, Cantaloupe Breeding. 




Colo. Exp. Sta. 

Plate 16— Contrasts in Internal Qualities. Selections from Different Individual 

Plants. 

27 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




Plate No. 17 — Artificial Cross-Fertilization. 
1 — Bud 24 Hours Before Opening. 2 — Bud Emasculated. 3 — Bloom Just 
Opened. 4 — Calyx and Corolla Removed, Showing 3 Anthers Attached. 
5 — Set Developing. Colo. Exp. Sta. 

The Rocky Ford cantaloupe is quite the exception to most of the 
cucurbitaceous plants like the cucumber and many other varieties of 
melons, which have their stamens and pistils borne in separate flowers, 
while the Rocky Ford variety is hermaphroditic, that is the stamens and 
pistil are produced in one flower. It also has purely staminate flowers 
produced in great profusion at the intersection of nearly every branch. 

It is evident that cross-fertilization is readily possible, yet the arrange- 
ment of the flower and the results of observation would indicate that self- 
pollenization is quite as common or more so. 

The pollen of the cantaloupe flower has been found to ripen about the 
time the flower is opened and the pollen is usually shed at this time, which 
is usually early in the morning; to fertilize the flower and have the results 
of known origin, it is necessary to find the bud about twenty-four hours 
before it opens (Plate 17, No. I), which can easily be told by observation; 
in this stage it should be emasculated, before the pollen lobes are ripe. 
By cutting around the base of the corolla and calyx, the two may be re- 
moved with the stamens attached, leaving the pistil free and exposed. 
(Plate 17, No. II and IV.) A small paper sack is then tied over the stem 
to protect the pistil from foreign pollen until the following morning, when 
the stigma will be at about the same stage, as if the flower had not been 
disturbed, and ready to receive the pollen. 

The desired pollen is introduced from a fresh opened flower, by 
pulling off the corolla the stamens are exposed, showing the ripe pollen 
grains which are transferred by touching the ripe pollen lobes to the pistil 
or stigma until it is well covered with the yellow pollen grains. The paper 
sack is then replaced for several days until development begins. 

28 









OFFICERS OF 

The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe 
Seed Breeders' Association 

ROCKY FORD, COLORADO 




IM/^r^DDOD AXpn 1 000 






PHILO K. BLINN . President 
JAMES B. RYAN . . . Secretary 
CLEM V. RYAN . . Treasurer 











CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 




An Ideal Seed Oavitv. 



Cantaloupe Seed a Specialty 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HIGH-GRADE SEED? If you are, THE 
ROCKY FORD CANTALOUPE SEED BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION can fur- 
nish you with the best Rocky Ford cantaloupe seed, that experience and 
systematic efforts have been able to produce. 

The need of this organization was suggested by the many letters of 
inquiry for a reliable source of cantaloupe seed, that have continually 
been coming to the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station. 

This Association has no official relation with that institution, except 
that Mr. P. K. Blinn, Field Agent, and for many years the Cantaloupe 
Specialist was instrumental in forming this association. It was the results 
of the work on the Experiment Station in breeding the Rust-Resistant can- 
taloupe on the basis of individual plant variation, that forms the founda- 
tion of the system of seed selection that is behind all the seed sold by this 
Association; which is ENTIRELY PRODUCED BY THE FEW MEN WHO 
WERE SELECTED BY REASON OF THEIR EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY 
AS SEED GROWERS TO FORM THE ASSOCIATION. The membership 
is restricted, and the organization is NOT a seed jobbing concern. 

The plan is to develop and produce pedigreed cantaloupe seed and to 
sell only such. 

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS ARE STOCK-IN-TRADE in the seed busi- 
ness, and high grade seed, and the results they produce will secure them. 

The Association furnishes a certificate with all their seed which identi- 
fies its source, and the breeding and selection behind the seed insures the 
results. 

31 



CANTALOUPE CULTURE AND PEDIGREED CANTALOUPE SEED. 



Seed Certificate 



OF 

The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Seed Breeders' Association 

Rocky Ford, Colorado 

Cantaloupe Seed accompanied by this Certificate, signed and sealed, 
with the package unbroken, is guaranteed to have been produced by this 
Association, in accordance with the most approved method of seed breed- 
ing. SEED PROM THIS ASSOCIATION IS SOLD ONLY WITH THIS 
CERTIFICATE, AND EACH SACK OP SEED IS SEALED WITH A 
LEAD CAR SEAL, (except when sent in the mail.) The purchaser is here- 
by assured of first grade selection, of a pure strain of cantaloupe seed of the 
Variety. No 

This stock of seed has had at least two years of tests, for heredity. 
It was grown from registered stock seed, and selected from a field grown 
exclusively for seed; the requirements for this selection were standard size, 
solid netting, prime texture and flavor, with no defects that could injure 
the seed or the crop to be grown from it. The germination of this seed is 
as good as experience and good equipment can produce. 

In testimony whereof, the Seal of the Association and the signature 

of its officers are affixed, this 19 

President. 

Secretary. 



PRICE QUOTATIONS AND INFORMATION 

The Association is making a specialty of two general types of Rocky 
Ford Cantaloupes. An early maturing strain and the Disease-resistant 
strain. They offer the following strains, and retail prices, prepaid, to any 
part of the United States. 
Rust-Resistant Pollock, green fleshed $1.50 per lb., 15 oz. 

For cut, see Plate No. 14. 
Rust-Resistant Pollock, salmon fleshed $1.50 per lb., 15 oz. 

For cut, see outside cover colored plate. 
Ryan's Early Walters, green fleshed $1.50 per lb., 15 oz. 

For cut, see Plate No. 15. 
Early-Rust-Resistant, Hybrid No. 2 $2.00 per lb., 20c oz. 

A limited amount of select watermelon seed: 
Kleckley Sweet $1.00 per lb., 10c oz. 

Dealers or Melon Growers' Associations desiring to purchase at whole- 
sale, will please write for quotation stating the amount they desire. 

In ordering, please remember remittance must accompany order, unless 
arrangements have been made otherwise. 

We will book orders and hold for shipment, or will forward by Express 
C. O. D. where 10 per cent of money is sent with the order. 

We will not attempt to meet prices of other concerns, the price we 
ask is reasonable, with the quality we furnish. Those desiring "grade" 
seed at lower prices, had best look elsewhere for their seed. 

Owing to the existence of several cantaloupe growers associations 
being organized here at Rocky Ford, mail intended for the Cantaloupe 
Seed Breeders' Association should be addressed to James B. Ryan, Secre- 
tary, Rocky Ford, R. F. D. No. 3, Colorado, to avoid delays. 

32 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



25 19-iu 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




000 916 734 1 



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